Airline and maritime shipping arrangements are two glaring omissions from the Melanesian Spearhead Group's new sub-regional trade agreement.
The Melanesian Spearhead Group Secretariat in Port Vila, Vanuatu Photo: RNZI / Jamie Tahana
Negotiations on a new free trade area that spans Melanesia were concluded by the group's trade ministers in Vanuatu last week.
The MSG's Programme Manager of Trade and Investment, Johnny Licht, said the agreement now covers trade in services, labour and investments, instead of being focussed solely on goods.
He said the agreement is now stronger and more comprehensive, but there have been some important omissions.
"Lots of things that we think we could cover at this time for example air services agreement is one there are also other areas such as maritime shipping arrangments," he said.
"But as far as goods and services is concerned we have a better trade agreement a much more improved, refined, comprehensive trade agreement that can provide for opportunities."
